Charlotte saw me and began to smile but I knew the smile all too well. It’s a maniacal smile.

“Oh, Claire is here.” She said this to make sure everyone knew that the unwanted guest she anticipated had arrived. A guest they can all share a common hatred for. I knew coming here wasn’t a good idea, but I had to speak to Leo. It was our anniversary, and I felt nothing short of abandoned along with our growing child inside me.

As soon as she said this. I hear Leo’s mother chime in.

“Who invited you?” She asks with a disgusted face as she places a protective hand on Charlotte’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry to overturn your anniversary, Claire. I had some exciting news delivered today and Leonardo was just so excited to share it with everyone.” She said this in a sad innocent puppy expression, knowing it’d convince everyone in the room that I was not only an enemy and outsider but a jealous and insecure wife. It didn’t help that Leonardo stayed plastered to Charlotte’s side. No hesitation of how I feel in this very moment.

Alienated.

Watching my husband forget about the love and marriage between us to celebrate Charlotte. I watched as the excitement showing in his face was more than I’d seen in the last five years he’s spent with me. I was hoping he’d come to my side as he looked at me and smiled.

“Claire – you’re never going to believe it! After countless months of waitlists and zoom meetings, a German doctor specializing in paraplegic surgeries agreed to come and see Charlotte. He thinks he can help her walk again! He gives Charlotte a proud look and I can see how happy this news had made him. Happier than I’d seen him in a very long time – no matter how much I tried. I wish he would’ve included me in this celebration instead of leaving me as the odd man out. Maybe I could celebrate with him once I tell him we’re expecting.

“Leonardo.” I have been holding onto this secret for too long and I still wanted to share this with Leo – especially when it was still our anniversary. But the look he gave me was anything but loving. It was short and threatening. He didn’t want me to ruin anything.

“What?” He couldn’t hide the hint of annoyance in his tone.

“Can we talk in private for a moment? I have news I’d like to share with you too.” I step out of the room and into the library where the books would muffle the sound of our conversation from the earshot of others. He followed and stepped inside as though he were trying to sneak out.

“I have something important I want to you share with you.” But before I could finish talking, Leo had cut me off.

“I brought you your gift.” He held out a diamond bracelet in his hand – waiting and expecting my hand in return. But all I could see is how similar it was to necklace Charlotte was currently wearing just outside that door. It was hard to separate the idea and images from this moment.

Did he purchase the two pieces as a set and split them for us both?

Just as I push the thought aside to share my news. I hear Charlotte calling out to Leo.

“Leo, where are you? I need you.”

Without hesitation, I see him ready himself to leave the room. I wanted to desperately to tell him the news, but I was losing my opportunity to do so